The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-03-24
The 9Aily Ynllstim.
THURSDAY. MAR. "a. 1887.
BELC,uMS DEFENSIVE STRENGTH.

The extent to which both Ger
many and France have fortified
their common frontier line has made
it enormously desirable for either of
the two, in endeavoring to take the
aggressive against the other, to use
for this purpose neutral territory
adjoining. This would enable the
invading army to flank its oppo-
nent's fortified line, instead Of risk
ing an attack upon the works direct
ly in front.
The two small powers at the ex-
tremities Of this boundary are
Switzerland and Belgium; and they,
accordingly, ever since the appear
ance of war clouds on the Franco
German horizon, have been almost
rs anxious and alert in preparation
as If they were to be drawn into the
conflict The position of Switzer-
land is such that her territory is not
likely to be deliberately seized as a
highway by either of the belligerents;
and perhaps the chief contingency
she has in view is that of being pre-
pared to receive and disarm fugitive
bodies driven upon her soil by an
enemy, as was the case with the
troops of Bourbaki in 1871. But
with Belgium the matter is different,
since for her there is not only this
possibility to consider, but that of a
deliberate violation of her territory
for the purpose of gaining military
advantage. Whether the anxiety
felt on this score is based on any
actual intent of the German or
French military authorities must, of
course, be as yet matter of con-
lecture. Meanwhile Belgium is
justified in taking precautions, even
if only ON the ground that she might
otherwise, after war, be called to
account by the victor for having
done nothing to prevent the van
pushed from having made use Of
her territory.
Accordingly, we find the latest
cable news reporting that Belgium
is not only arming her fortresses,
but is modifying her army in two
corps, the first being commanded by
Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders
and brother of the King, and the
other by Gen van der Smissen. 1t
is also expected that King Leopold
will ask law making military SER
vice obligatory. The population
of the little kingdom, according to
the latest census, is close upon six
millions, nearly equally divided be-
tween the two sexes. The infantry
in the peace effective consists of
nineteen regiments, comprising
LIP officers and 1921 men. The
cavalry, eight regiments, includes
3O4 officers and $3.50 men. The
artillery, seven regiments, contains
49S officers and 1859 men. To
this arm also belong four
special companies. The engineers,
with 1877 officers and 1871 men, in
clude three batallions of sappers and
miners, and special companies of
railroad and telegraph service. Be-
sides these there is the transporta-
ton force and about GOO general,
staff, and medical officers, and so
on. The entire peace effective gives
an aggregate Of 44,6lO officers and
men and 204 field pieces. Then
comes the gendarmerie, comprising
SO officers and 2,181 men.
This does not make formidable
showing but the active militia COM
prises 30,954 officers and men so
that the kingdom could, if neces-
sary, bring $4,000 troops quickly
into the field. Besides this force,
there are 10000 men in the reserve
militia. The Notifications of Bel
GUM are also not inconsiderable
elements of strength. Indeed, the
Belgian system of works is well
known throughout Europe. To COM
plete the Notifications of Antwerp
alone the city laid out $4,000, 900.
1t is an illustration, however, of the
misfortune of being neighbor of
great warlike powers, that Belgium,
which doubtless deprecates strug-
gle between France and Germany,
and would expect in no case to de-
rive advantage from it, is force to
go to great expense merely in order
to protect herself from possible en-
croachments on the part of one or
the other belligerent.-N. Y. Sun.